y Robinson Peete and her husband, retired NFL player Rodney Peete. T

PHOENIX - The desert is great for stargazing, and that will certainly be the case as the Super Bowl takes over Phoenix and its suburbs.Comedians Joel McHale and Kevin Hart will crack jokes for partygoers, newcomer Charli XCX will perform for troops and then revelers at ESPNs party, and Jamie Foxx and Drake will hold court at a pair of lounges at a swanky Scottsdale hotel.The events range from private, invite-only festivities to fan-friendly events that are open to anyone who buys a ticket.Heres a look at some of the places where stars from the sports and entertainment worlds will mix and mingle:___GAMES BEFORE THE BIG GAMEParticipants in this years Madden Bowl better bring their A game, or expect to be the brunt of jokes from Kevin Hart. The Wedding Ringer star will host and zero in on the action on the digital gridiron.Electronic Arts is taking over a block of downtown Scottsdale for a party that will include performances by Nelly and Florida Georgia Line, and Hart hosting Madden matches between NFL players. Last years winner, Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, will return to defend his title.This year typifies the peak of what Madden Bowl has been, said Randy Chase, EAs senior director of North American marketing.Not all the games are for people — Animal Planet will also open its Puppy Bowl Cafe, which features puppies taking the field and canines available for adoptions.___BUSY WEEKEND FOR CHARLI XCXGrammy-nominated singer Charli XCX is one of Super Bowl weeks most sought-after acts, with at least three performances scheduled.The pop singer is singing for troops Friday night at Luke Air Force base and performing a set at ESPNs bash later that night. On Saturday, shell perform for partygoers at Rolling Stones bash.The ESPN party on Friday will be a hub for some of the weekends biggest names in pro sports and entertainment. Also scheduled to make appearances at the show are Frozen star Idina Menzel, who will sing the national anthem at Sundays game and John Legend, who will sing America the Beautiful before kickoff.___GOOD TIMES FOR A GOOD CAUSENot all of the pre-game parties are simply for fun and games.McHale will host a roast of NFL great Terry Bradshaw, a charity event that will benefit a program that brings entertainment to wounded veterans.The Friars Club roast of Bradshaw is one of several charity events planned for this week, including the Big Game Big Give charity event. The gala is being hosted by actor Mark Wahlberg, director Michael Bay and Washington Nationals Manager Matt Williams. The beneficiaries will be three charities, including Wahlbergs foundation for inner city youth.Gladys Knight headlines the Super Bowl Gospel Celebration, which donates some of its proceeds to charity.The evening, one of a handful of NFL-sanctioned events, will be hosted by actress Holly Robinson Peete and her husband, retired NFL player Rodney Peete. The event will feature tributes to gospel performer Andrae Crouch and broadcaster Stuart Scott, who died earlier this month.___MUSIC FOR THE MASSESPerformances by top artists arent just for invitees of a gala or party — several paid concerts are scheduled for the days before the game.DirecTV hosts a three-day music festival that culminates with a Friday night show featuring Snoop Dogg and Imagine Dragons. Performers on other days include the Zac Brown Band, Calvin Harris and Jason Derulo.Twelve blocks of downtown Phoenix are being transformed into the Verizon Super Bowl Central, a free area with NFL-themed attractions and nightly fireworks shows. Pepsi has set up its Hyped for Halftime Stage which will feature performances by The Roots, Walk the Moon and other acts daily.___For many Super Bowl parties, youve got to know someone to get inside.Rihanna headlines one of the weekends biggest private concerts, DirecTVs Super Saturday Night, which has previously featured performances by Jay-Z and Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, and this years halftime performer, Katy Perry.Rolling Stone, Maxim and Playboy magazines are among the invite-only parties this week.Some celebrities and athletes will also get to indulge their inner-child at Neon Carnival, a star-friendly event that features rides, games and dance music — and a stringent guest list. Deacon Jones Jersey . Ive said it before, Ive worked with top pros and I could have made my own program. Greg Gaines Womens Jersey . -- Manager Bob Melvin shuffled the Athletics batting order and got the type of production he was looking for from the top of the lineup. http://www.ramsrookiestore.com/Rams-Cooper-Kupp-Jersey/. The Flames are in the midst of a six-game slide (0-5-1), their longest losing streak since an 0-6-3 skid from Jan. 11-28, 2010. They havent won since Nov. 3 in Chicago and most recently went winless on a three-game homestand. Marshall Faulk Rams Jersey . It took five games, but the Celtics finally helped Stevens earn his first NBA victory. "Im going to celebrate for a whole 12 minutes, and then Im going to start watching Orlando and trying to figure them out," the first-year Celtics coach said after Boston beat the Utah Jazz, one of the leagues other winless teams, 97-87 on Wednesday night. Bobby Evans Jersey . Its been two seasons in one for both parties and neither will look back on the first 18 games fondly. "I think I took the fall for a lot of things," said Gay, reflecting on his short time in Toronto ahead of Wednesdays game against his former club.Charlotte, NC (SportsNetwork.com) - Joe Johnson scored 22 points and the Brooklyn Nets crushed the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday, 114-87, at Time Warner Cable Arena. Deron Williams had 18 points with 10 assists and Alan Anderson added 17 off the bench for Brooklyn, which had seven players reach double figures. One of them was Cory Jefferson, who went for 11 points on 5-of-5 shooting in his first career start. It has been a while since we have been on the right side of a blowout, said Williams. Mason Plumlee posted his second straight double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds, and Jarrett Jack scored 14 off the bench to help the Nets win their second straight game on the heels of a three-game slide. The Hornets, meanwhile, fell for the 12th time in 14 games after shooting just 39.2 percent from the field. They didnt come out with any energy on Saturday following a double-OT loss to Memphis the night before. There are very few teams that can show up and play and win. Obviously, we wouldnt be one of those, Charlotte coach Steve Clifford said. Thhe Nets led by 10 points at halftime and put the game away with a strong third quarter.dddddddddddd Jefferson scored six points during a 14-0 run midway through the period and bookended the spurt with long jumpers. His 18-footer at 3:57 left the Nets with a 73-49 advantage. It was 85-59 through three, and Charlotte never got closer than 22 in the fourth. Johnson erupted for seven points in the first 1:13 of the game. His short jumper at 7:59 followed Jeffersons basket, and the Nets owned an early 11-2 advantage. Later in the frame, Jeffersons three-point play preceded another Johnson 3, and the lead was 15. Brian Roberts hit from deep with 4.4 seconds left, but Jack banked in a runner as time expired to make it 32-17. The spread reached 17 before Charlotte trimmed the gap to 52-42 at halftime. Game Notes The Nets outscored Charlotte 42-26 in the paint ... Brooklyn shot 42-for-72 (58.3 percent) from the floor ... Michael Kidd-Gilchrist led Charlotte with 15 points off the bench and Roberts scored 14. ' ' '